PELHAM -- School and town officials have provided Pelham voters with a cost breakdown of the $895,000 municipal complex renovation, designed to house the new, standalone School-Administrative Unit 28 offices, following the school district's split with Windham.

"The project comes with a tax impact of zero dollars attached," Pelham Budget Committee members announced in a statement. "The School Board has placed $217,400 in the school district budget to pay rent to the town to cover the five-year bond payment for the renovations, and general cleaning and utilities."

In a message posted on the town's online message board, Pelham resident Lori Adams raised a question about the seemingly high cost of the project.

"Obviously, it makes great sense to invest in our existing facilities rather than pay rent to a commercial landlord for the SAU office space," wrote Adams. "The space (at Town Hall, formerly the Sherburne School) seems very well suited to the SAU offices... I get it, I really do. Still, to me, the price of almost $900K to do this work seems extraordinarily high."

According to the cost breakdown of the Town Hall/SAU offices makeover provided by Trident Project Management Company, the project's total cost of $895,000 includes: $105,000 for general contract work; $69,550 for demolishing and replacing windows; $59,807 for entrance wall, walkway pavers and sun-shading; $44,940 for ripping and re-roofing; $40,150 for purchases of doors, frames and hardware; $36,110 for millwork and finish carpentry; $31,590 for gypsum assemblies; $23,407 for rough carpentry; $24,730 for carpeting; $23,250 for floor tile; $15,920 for acoustical ceilings; $10,800 for painting, and assorted other costs for under $10,000.

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Selectmen Chairman Bill McDevitt and School Board Chairman Brian Carton are among town and school officials advocating for passage of the six-classroom renovation project, which will appear as Town Warrant Article 2 on the March 12 ballot.

A drawing of the project provided by Lavallee/Brensinger Architects shows the new SAU 28 headquarters at Town Hall, if approved by voters, will include: a reception area, two conference rooms, separate offices for the superintendent, business manager, curriculum coordinator, finance officer, SPED director, technology director, general administration offices, a kitchenette, two storage areas and classroom space.

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